142 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



attainments. I have enumerated many things which command- 

 ed my approbation, and gave me a high opinion of the proceed- 

 ings of this ancient society, one of the oldest if not the oldest 

 society in oiir Commonwealth. 



But there were some things witnessed which led me to fear, 

 that unless a check is put upon them, this old puritan stock, who 

 have so long inhabited the hills of Berkshire, will soon be 

 overrun by our young America. Their cattle shows will be 

 converted into horse shows and horse racing. 



This subject has engaged the attention of the Board of Agri- 

 culture, and I find some admirable resolutions passed by the 

 Board in the transactions of 1856 ; still I fear this is a growing 

 evil. I have witnessed it not only at Pittsfield, but in other 

 places ; it permeates every class of society. In connection with 

 it the worst vices are engendered, such as gambling and 

 drinking. 



I am a great admirer of the horse and would encourage our 

 farmers in raising the best breeds. The exhibition of these 

 animals at Pittsfield, showed the great care which had been 

 taken to select the very best, and had those on exhibition been 

 controlled within the design of the society, it would have formed 

 one of the grandest features of the occasion. As I had occasion 

 to say then, in remarking upon this subject, there was a little 

 too much horse ; so say I now, altogether too much. All other 

 interests seemed to be absorbed in this one thing. Nor did it 

 cease when the day closed, but a fresh start was taken for the 

 morrow ; and even after the society had finished its proceed- 

 ings placards announced to the public that a purse of one 

 hundred dollars had been made up, and a race was to take 

 place tlie next day on the society's grounds. Thus the fast 

 spirit enkindled at the opening of the exhibition could not be 

 checked at its close. In this whirlpool of excitement, both old 

 and young, rich and poor, priest and people, were borne away, 

 and the design of this annual festival was in a great measure 

 lost sight of. I am gratified to know that a large majority of 

 the members of this society disapprove of the course pursued ; 

 and as the friends of agriculture, and the lovers of good order, 

 they will speedily adopt measures to prevent the occurrence of 

 like scenes again. 



Nathan Durfee. 



